John f



(No Model.)

J. F. MGORYSTAL 80 JP. SIEGPRIED. POCKET PROTECTOR. No. 320,882. Patented June 23, 1885.

ilNiTEjo STATES PATENT @rricn.

JOHN F. MOCRYSTAL AND JOHN P. SIEGFRIED, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO; SAID SIEGFRIED ASSIGNOR TO PATRICK I. CROSSEN, OF SAME PLACE.

POCKET-PROTECTOR.

iii a SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,882, dated June 23, 1885.

Application filed February 18, 18:5.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN F. MCCRYSTAL and JOHN P. SIEGFRIED, bot-h residents of Sandusky, in the county of Erie and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket -Protectors; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a rear view showing our improved protector applied to a pocket in position for operation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 00 w in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing the complete protector detached; and Fig. 4 is a detail View of the plate or frame of the protector.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

This invention relates to that class of devices which are known as pocket-protectors,

2 5 and which may be applied permanently to any pocket for the purpose of retaining articles placed in such pocket securely therein, as well as for the purpose of preventing the unlawful abstraction of its contents.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of this class which shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and general efficiency.

\Vith these ends in view the invention con sists in the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Our improved pocketprotector, as illus- 0 trated in the drawings hereto annexed, is constructed of a strip of light sheet metal, designated by letter A, of a length somewhat eX- eeeding the width of the pocket to which it is to be applied. The ends of this strip are 5 provided with vertical slots B B, which may be and are preferably formed by striking up tongues O O and bending the same inward over the body of the plate, as shown, so as to form smooth and rounded inner edges to the slots B B. Slits D D extend from the lower (No model.)

ends of the latter to the edge of the plate. The said plate is also provided with a longitudinal slot, E, extending through the greater portion of its length, and its sides F F are longitudinally creased or corrugated for the purpose of insuring strength and preventing it from bending. i

Upon the frame thus formed is stretched a rubber or other elastic band, G, which is inserted through the slits D D into the slots B 6c B, after which the said slits are closed by pressing the metal back to its original position, so as to present a smooth and even sur face. The rounded inner edges of the slots B B, formed by the tongues O 0, against which the rubber band bears, will prevent the said band from being cut or otherwise injured.

After the pocket, which is designated by letter H, has been attached to the garment the protector is applied by simply inserting c the pocket between the front part of the rubber band and the front side of the plate or frame, and then sliding the latter up to the top of the pocket, which is thus held clasped between the elastic band and the rigid frame. 7 The latter is then suitably attached, by stitching or otherwise, to the cloth or lining of the garment, or both, and the device is then ready for use.

The operation and advantages of this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed. The mouth or opening of the pocket, being held clamped or clasped in the manner described, will not prevent the insertion or removal of articles, but will effectively prevent their accidental loss, as well as their unlawful abstraction, inasmuch as any attempt to remove the contents of the pocket will involve the distension of the mouth of the same against the tension of the elastic band, which, while easily effected by the wearer of the garment, cannot be performed without drawing his attention.

Various modifications of this invention may 9 5 in practice be resorted to. Thus, for instance, the frame might, instead of sheet metal, be formed of wire, either of a single continuous or of two or more pieces; or instead of an elastic band, as herein shown, a single elastic Io strap might be used, having its ends secured by clinching or otherwise to the ends of a plate or frame. WVe would therefore have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise construction herein shown andvdescribed; but,

Having thus described our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a pocket-protector, the combination, with a rigid plate or frame, the ends of which are provided with slots from which slits extend to the edge of such plate, of an elastic band arranged in the said slots, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a pocket-protector, the herein-described plate or frame provided at its ends with slots formed by tongues struck up and bent inward over the body of the plate and having slits extending from said slots to the edge of the plate, in combination with an elastic band arranged in said slots, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a pocketprotector, the hereindescribed plate or frame, consisting of a plate having slots at the ends and slits extending from said slots to the edge of the plate, a longitudinal slot, and creased or corrugated sides, in combination with an elastic band arranged in said end slots, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 7

4. The combination, with a garment, of a pocket-protector,consisting,mainly, of a rigid plate or frame secured permanently to such garment behind the pocket at or near the mouth or opening of the same, and an elastic strap or band suitablyattached to such plate or frame and extending round the pocket in front of the latter and behind the cloth of the garment, substantially as and for the purposes herein shown and specified.

I11 testimony that We claim the foregoing as our own we have hereunto affixed our signa tures in presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

F. XV. OoGswnLL, S. 0. WHEE ER. 

